10 Days • 9 Nights
Grand El Salvador: The Complete Country
Tour Includes
About the Trip
Trip Highlights
- Lakeside colonial Suchitoto and indigo dyeing
- The Santa Ana volcano and Coatepeque crater lake
- The flower-lined Ruta de las Flores coffee route
- Maya ruins at Tazumal and Joya de Ceren
- Black-sand surf beaches at El Tunco
- The full diversity of El Salvador at a relaxed pace
Day by Day
A detailed day-by-day plan for this 10-day journey.
Met at the airport and transferred to your hotel, you enjoy an orientation of the capital and a welcome dinner of Salvadoran specialities.
Travel to the lakeside colonial town of Suchitoto, exploring its cobbled streets and grand church and taking an indigo-dyeing workshop.
A boat trip on Lake Suchitlan and a visit to the Los Tercios waterfall, with time among Suchitoto's galleries and colonial charm.
You cross to the western highlands and the flower route, a road of coffee towns famous for murals, food festivals and waterfalls.
A day among the artisan villages, a coffee-farm visit with a tasting, and a hike to hidden waterfalls for a swim.
You visit the elegant city of Santa Ana and hike the Santa Ana volcano to its emerald crater lake, with sweeping views over the region.
A morning swimming at the turquoise Coatepeque crater lake and an afternoon at the Maya sites of Tazumal and Joya de Ceren.
A scenic drive to the Pacific surf coast at El Tunco, settling into your beachfront hotel for a fiery sunset.
A surf lesson on the beach breaks or time at Punta Roca, followed by an afternoon of beach relaxation and fresh seafood.
A final beach morning before transferring back to San Salvador airport for your onward flight home.
Where You Will Travel
What's inside the package?
Inclusions
- 9 nights accommodation
- Daily breakfast, a welcome dinner and a coffee-farm lunch
- Airport transfers
- Touring and activities as per itinerary with English-speaking guides
- Ground transfers between regions
- Entrance and national park fees as per itinerary
- Suchitoto and indigo, a Ruta de las Flores tour, a Santa Ana volcano hike, Coatepeque, Tazumal and Joya de Ceren, and a surf lesson
Exclusions
- International airfare
- Visa or tourist card fees where applicable
- Travel insurance (strongly recommended)
- Meals not mentioned in the itinerary or inclusions
- Drinks unless specifically stated
- Optional excursions and experiences
- Personal expenses and gratuities
- Anything not specifically mentioned under Package Inclusions
Know when to go.
- Visa & entry: Most nationalities, including UK, US, EU, Canadian and Australian passport holders, do not need a visa for tourism and receive entry under the CA-4 regional agreement; a passport valid for at least six months and, sometimes, a small tourist fee apply. We confirm details for your nationality
- Currency: El Salvador uses the US Dollar as its official currency, and Bitcoin is also legal tender though rarely needed by visitors; carry small US Dollar notes for markets, tips and rural areas
- Best time to visit: The dry season (November to April) is sunniest and ideal for volcanoes, ruins and the beach, while the green season (May to October) brings lush landscapes and afternoon showers; the surf is excellent year-round
- Getting around: El Salvador is Central America's smallest country, so distances are short and you can reach beaches, volcanoes and colonial towns in a single day; internal ground transfers are included
- Surfing: The Pacific coast is a world-class surf destination, with consistent waves at El Tunco, El Zonte and Punta Roca suiting beginners to experts; lessons and boards are easy to arrange
- Safety: El Salvador has transformed its security in recent years and now welcomes travellers warmly; as anywhere, we use trusted local guides and drivers and follow sensible precautions to keep your trip smooth
- Health: No vaccinations are required for most travellers; bring insect repellent, reef-safe sunscreen and stay hydrated in the tropical heat, and drink bottled or filtered water
- Money & tipping: US Dollars in cash are useful throughout; cards work in cities and resorts. Tipping around ten percent is customary for good service, and power is 120V with US-style plugs, so US travellers need no adapter
Frequently Asked Questions
Why choose the ten-day grand tour?
It is the only way to see all of El Salvador, colonial towns, volcanoes, crater lakes, coffee route, Maya ruins and the surf coast, at a relaxed pace. Because the country is small, you cover it all without long drives.
Is there much travelling between regions?
Distances in El Salvador are short, so transfers are typically just one to three hours through scenic countryside, leaving plenty of time to enjoy each place.
What meals are included?
Daily breakfast is included throughout, along with any meals named in the itinerary such as a welcome dinner. El Salvador's food, from pupusas to fresh seafood, is a delight and inexpensive, so most lunches and dinners are left free to explore.
Is El Salvador safe to visit now?
El Salvador has seen a dramatic improvement in security in recent years and is increasingly popular with travellers. We use trusted local guides and drivers and sensible precautions throughout, and most visitors find the country warm, welcoming and easy.
Do I need a visa for El Salvador?
Most nationalities do not need a visa and enter under the regional CA-4 agreement, sometimes with a small tourist fee. We confirm the requirement for your nationality when you book; a passport valid for six months is needed.
What currency is used?
El Salvador uses the US Dollar, which makes budgeting easy for many travellers. Carry small notes for markets, tips and rural areas; cards are accepted in cities and resorts.
When is the best time to visit?
The dry season (November to April) is best for sightseeing and the beach, while the green season is lush with afternoon showers. The Pacific surf is excellent all year.
Can the itinerary be customised?
Absolutely. Because the country is small, we can easily combine volcanoes, colonial towns, Maya ruins and the surf coast, adjust the pace, and tailor the trip to your interests and budget.
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